Portugal: Lisbon – Historic Baixa District
Baixa is the heart of Lisbon, often referred to as downtown. It is a vibrant and dynamic district of grand plazas, shopping streets, and classical style architecture. While Baixa has a grand appearance today, the area has had a devasting history. On November 1, 1755, the entire district was hit by a powerful earthquake, reducing it to rubble and killing thousands. The rebuilding of Lisbon was charged to the Marquis of Pombal, who created the world’s first grid city layout, and the neo-classical ‘Pombaline’ style of the buildings are named after him. This reconstruction also made Baixa one of the first examples of earthquake-resistant construction and modern urban planning. Grid of ornate building is interspersed with grand plazas, such as Praça do Comercio at the waterfront and Praça Dom Pedro IV with its distinctive wave-patterned cobblestone pavement. Rua Augusta lined with shops, cafes, and restaurants,l connects the two. Not to be missed is the iconic Elevador de Santa Justa designed by Raoul Mesnier du Ponsard, connecting Baixa with the higher Carmo Square.
